A game that we can’t win and can’t quit (Gita Daily)

We may get the question: “Why do we need to give up material desires like lust and greed?”

Because of their two deadly characteristics: insatiability and irresistibility. To understand these characteristics, let’s compare engaging with material desires to playing a game.

Insatiability: When we say yes to material desires, they become not pacified, but aggravated. They force us to repeatedly, even perpetually, keep saying yes to them. Analogically, trying to fulfill the material desires is like trying to win the game. But, as these desires are insatiable, they just don’t allow us to win.

Irresistibility: When we get fed up with the futile attempt to fulfill these desires and decide to say no to them, they charge into our consciousness regularly and relentlessly, and seem impossible to resist. Analogically, wanting to give up material desires is like wanting to quit the game. But as these desires are irresistible, they don’t allow us to quit.